Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has announced a scholarship program worth around Rs 1 billion to support the education of students affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
The Ministry of Education and Sports said the program aims to provide free education from early childhood development to Grade 12.
According to the ministry, it will be implemented in collaboration with various federal government agencies, provincial and local governments, private school associations, and other government and nongovernmental organizations.
Around 1,000 students are expected to benefit from the program.
Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has appealed to the private sector, business community and government and nongovernmental organizations to contribute to the initiative.
Under the scheme, students will receive full, partial or residential scholarships, along with support for textbooks, uniforms, educational materials, accommodation and meals.
Pokharel said scholarships would be distributed by prioritizing students based on data on those affected by the floods.
The ministry plans to mobilize resources from the private sector to support the education of affected children. It will collaborate with the Private and Boarding Schools’ Organization Nepal (PABSON), National Private and Boarding Schools’ Association Nepal (NPABSON), Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal (HISSAN), Association of Pre-School Education Nepal (APIN) and Montessori Association Nepal, among others.
Under the proposed arrangement, private schools and other supporting organizations will provide scholarships and necessary physical and educational assistance to affected children based on recommendations from the ministry.
The scholarship program will prioritize children who are unable to attend school because of the floods, are economically disadvantaged, have lost parents or family members, are out of contact with their families, or require special assistance.
Depending on their needs and circumstances, students will be eligible for full or partial scholarships, residential scholarships, school fee waivers or exemptions, textbooks, uniforms, educational materials, accommodation and meals.
